1993 Anniversary

Against Texas today, she wants to take the ball to the rim and focus on making the shot instead of relying on contact.

She also wants Sunday’s game against the rival Lady Longhorns to launch a strong finish to the season.

The Lady Raiders (18-7, 8-5 in Big 12 Conference play) host Texas at 2:30 p.m. today in United Spirit Arena. Including the rivalry game, Tech has just five games left in the regular season.

“We’re trying to use this as a catalyst for the last five games and really getting going and starting putting things together,” Baker said. “We honestly think that we can win out, and this game is the start of something special.

“We need to rebound well, we need to start shooting well and we need to get to the free-throw line and convert. And we need to start with this game.”

Tech defeated the Lady Longhorns (9-14, 2-10) 66-59 earlier this year in Austin. The victory spurred a four-game winning streak for the Lady Raiders.

Thanks to that extended string of wins — and the lack of any turbulent losing streaks — Tech is well placed to finish in the top three in the conference. The Lady Raiders currently sit in sole possession of fourth place in the league. Iowa State sits in second, a game ahead of Tech at 9-4, and Oklahoma is a half-game up at 8-4.

Coach Kristy Curry isn’t looking too far ahead, but she likes the position her team is in.

“It’s important for tournament seeding, it’s important for NCAA tournament seeding,” Curry said. “And it seems like we’re still a little bit under the radar, and we like that role. So it’s more about the next game and the next opportunity, and if we take care of this opportunity, what that can do down the road (is key).”

If the Lady Raiders do take care of Texas, they will clinch a .500 league record and their most conference wins in a season since the 2005-2006 season.

Since the formation of the Big 12, Tech has missed the NCAA tournament with a .500 or better league record just once (that same 2005-2006 season).

Like Curry mentioned, Tech is flying under the radar as the season comes to a close. Despite league losses to only the top three teams, they have gotten no love from the polls. Teams further down the tables continue to pick up more votes than the Lady Raiders despite fewer wins and a weaker schedule.

Curry is unflinching, though, in her desire to keep focus on what her team can control, such as its play on the court to dictate the Lady Raiders’ ultimate finish.

“I think the most important thing this team has done is saying ‘What can we control today? Let’s have the best possible day we possibly can,’ and (they) really have matured,” Curry said.

1993 Anniversary

Sunday’s game against Texas will mark the commemoration of the 1993 national champion Lady Raiders team. All 12 members of the team will be back together for the first time since their meeting with former President Bill Clinton at the White House two decades ago.

The current crop of Lady Raiders hope to represent the scarlet and black Sunday as much as that 1993 team did 20 years ago.

“It’s ironic on Sunday because 20 years ago, Feb. 17, 1993, was the first time Tech won in Austin,” Curry said. “So Sunday’s a really special day. We need to make sure that we represent it the way they did 20 years ago on the exact same day.”

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The reason that Texas Tech is flying under the radar is because of last year's embarrassment when they were ranked as high as 10th in the country and then ended up in the cellar of the Big 12. Pollsters are not going to forget the catastrophic implosion that was last year's season. Furthermore, Texas Tech has been crushed by Baylor and has lost to Iowa State twice and Oklahoma. Wins over Oklahoma State and Kansas don't seem to count for much with the pollsters this year.

Baker is certainly correct that this team needs to start shooting better, convert, and get to the free throw line. This team has shown a lot of grit and great defense, so let's hope that they can parlay that into some more wins. If Curry could teach the ladies to shoot she would have some teams that could compete nationally. Here's to hoping that the Lady Raiders continue to peak at the right moment and make some noise at the end of this conference season and going into the NCAA tournament.